papess
/ˈpeɪpɪs/ /peɪˈpɛs/noun
A female pope.
- Often used with reference to the legendary Pope Joan..
Origin
Early 17th century; earliest use found in Joseph Hall (1574–1656), bishop of Norwich, religious writer, and satirist. From French papesse from pape + -esse. Compare Italian papessa, Spanish papisa, post-classical Latin papissa.